TN, WB Bypolls See TVK, BJP Lead; Assam Lok Sabha Contest Tightens
NR Congress retains Thattanchavady as closely watched contests unfold across four regions
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th Oct: Counting of votes is underway for by-elections to five Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry, along with the Nagaon Lok Sabha constituency in Assam. Early trends show actor-politician Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leading in two Tamil Nadu seats, while the BJP is ahead in two West Bengal constituencies and Nagaon.
The first result has been declared in Puducherry, where the All India NR Congress retained the Thattanchavady Assembly seat. Its candidate, Ashok Anand, defeated Congress rival E Vinayagam by more than 8,000 votes.
The results are being closely watched for their possible impact on regional politics, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where Vijay’s party is facing an early electoral test, and West Bengal, where the BJP is seeking to consolidate its position after the 2026 Assembly elections.
Tamil Nadu: TVK Leads in Two Seats
In Tamil Nadu, TVK candidates are leading in early trends in Madurantakam and Dharapuram, ahead of the AIADMK and DMK.
The contests are significant for Vijay, whose party won 108 seats in the Assembly election, falling short of the 118 required for a majority. The bypolls offer an early indication of whether his popularity can translate into further electoral gains.
Both seats were won by the AIADMK in April, before the MLAs switched to TVK. The AIADMK is seeking to reclaim its former constituencies, while the DMK is looking to strengthen its position.
West Bengal: BJP Ahead in Nandigram, Rejinagar
The BJP is leading in early trends in Nandigram in East Midnapore district and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district. Voting in both constituencies was held under heightened security arrangements.
The bypolls are taking place amid a changed political landscape following the 2026 Assembly elections and a reported split within the Trinamool Congress.
Nandigram has drawn particular attention after Sanchita Pradhan Dey, the candidate associated with the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction, withdrew her nomination at the last moment. The BJP fielded Hasirani Rath, while Congress candidate Milan Pradhan received backing from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction. A rival Trinamool faction led by Ritabrata Banerjee is also in the contest.
Dey is the mother of late Chandranath Rath, personal assistant to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who was murdered in Madhyamgram on May 6.
Both constituencies have sizeable Muslim electorates. Adhikari had described the bypolls as a test for minorities, drawing criticism from the Opposition.
Assam: BJP Leads in Nagaon
In Assam, BJP candidate Debashish Sharma, a former deputy commissioner, is leading in early trends in the Nagaon Lok Sabha bypoll.
The contest is triangular, with former MLA Sibamoni Bora representing the Congress and AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal also in the race.
The bypoll became necessary after Congress veteran Pradyut Bordoloi switched to the BJP and resigned from the seat. Ajmal is seeking to return to Parliament after losing the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Dhubri to Congress leader Rakibul Hussain.
The final outcomes are expected to offer a clearer picture of the parties’ standing in the constituencies. The early leads remain provisional until the results are officially declared.
